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12 March 1991 - Current

Address-in-reply

Page 36

21 December 2010

COUNCIL

Governor's Speech

RAMSAY

Mr RAMSAY (Western Victoria) -- President, I congratulate you on reaching the
high office of President in this 57th Parliament. As I stand to speak for the
first time in this chamber today I am more than ever conscious of the
responsibility and honour that the people of western Victoria have bestowed on
me, a responsibility and honour which I take very seriously.
All my life I have worked in rural and regional communities with and for country
people. I am proud to say that my family history is a story of many men and
women who have played an important leadership role in their local communities.
The church, politics, agriculture and the towns and communities of western
Victoria have all been symbols of the life travels of my family.
My great-great-grandfather, the Reverend Andrew Ramsay, arrived from Scotland on
4 January 1847, settling in Melbourne. In 1850, with three other ministers, he
formed the Synod of the United Presbyterian Church of Victoria. He was the first
minister at Port Phillip of the United Succession and helped build St Enoch's
Church in Collins Street.
While the church played an important role in the values of my family, it was my
great-grandfather, Robert Ramsay, who forged a career in politics. He was
elected to the Legislative Assembly of the Victorian Parliament in 1870.
Over a long parliamentary career he served as Postmaster-General and Minister
for Education. For a short time in 1880 he also served as Chief Secretary.
History tells us that in this role one of his most celebrated achievements was
dispatching resources to capture the Kelly bushranger gang.
My grandfather, Major Robert Ramsay, served in World War II before becoming
active in local government, most notably as mayor of Colac Shire over
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successive terms. He also served on the Graziers Federal Council of Australia
from 1939 to 1942 and played an important role with Sir William Gunn in shaping
the wool industry at that time.
Here we have a mixture of three generations involved in religion, politics and
agripolitics, and a love of the land that was to shape my life.
My father, Andrew Ramsay, tragically lost his life to cancer at a young age. I
know how proud he would have been to see me standing here today, advocating the
values that have been passed down through the generations -- the importance of
hard work, respect, fairness and equality of opportunity -- all of this mixed
with the principles of liberalism and a passion for the land and its people.
Throughout my life I have been encouraged to speak out for what I believe in --
that so-called political correctness should not sway the passion of one's
convictions. I am passionate about speaking out for the people of western
Victoria. As a third generation farmer from Birregurra, I learned from a young
age the importance of standing up for my community, whether it be in the local
kindergarten, school, the Country Fire Authority, the farming community or small
business. That work continued on behalf of many rural communities throughout
Victoria when I served for four years as president of the Victorian Farmers
Federation.
There were many challenges through that time, supporting communities through
droughts, floods and bushfires, advocating for investment in research and
development, fighting for tax reforms, improving sea freight lanes to improve
export competitiveness, to name but a few.
I also fought for sensible environmental policies which aimed to strike the
right balance in the preservation of our environment.
The region of Western Victoria is rich and diverse. It spans all the way from
the western suburbs of Melbourne to the South Australian border. It includes
large regional cities like Geelong, Ballarat and Warrnambool, and many smaller
cities and towns like Colac, Ararat and Mortlake, to name but a few. Western
Victoria comprises the iconic Great Ocean Road coastline, rich farmlands and
magnificent national parks.
Agriculture, manufacturing, tourism and small business underpin the economic
success of this region, and so too innovation, technology and education
services. It is also one of the country's most important food-producing regions.
Much of our produce -- dairy, wool, beef and wheat -- is exported around the
world.
Whether people live in large cities or small towns like the one I grew up in,
job security, health, education, communications, public transport, better roads
and safety are vital. Over the past 11 years critical services in regional
Victoria have suffered, coupled with a failure to make proper investment in
infrastructure -- all of this while encouraging population growth at a rate that
is now causing real concern. Regional Victoria was not only crying out for big
improvements in basic services, it was looking for a government that could
provide a vision -- a vision that would enrich our regional communities with an
improved sense of worth, security and hope.
It is clear that in 2010 the people of Victoria wanted change. But with a change
of government comes great responsibility. It is my solid commitment to fight for
all country communities throughout western Victoria.
Decentralisation of services is absolutely critical.
Business and industry must have the appropriate motivation to move country
communities and to provide jobs and opportunities. Just as important is proper
planning to ensure that we can provide affordable housing, safeguard our
environment and protect our food-producing regions.
I make the commitment to the Parliament today that I will work tirelessly for
the people whom I represent and, in doing so, with no parliamentary
representative from the coalition, Ballarat will become a particular focus of
mine.
I take this opportunity to thank those who have been instrumental in my election
as a member of Parliament. Thank you to the many hardworking members of the
Liberal Party for their support and belief in me. I thank in particular the
Premier, Ted Baillieu, the Liberal Party president, David Kemp, and the state
director, Tony Nutt.
I would also like to acknowledge my predecessor, John Vogels. I wanted to call
him honourable, but he did not want me to; however, I will, because I find him a
very honourable person. John was widely respected for his work in representing
the region. He had a great ability to communicate with all sections of the
community; he was a willing listener and a strong advocate for western Victoria.
John's political life has been filled with twists and turns: two seats he held
were abolished, and he retired just prior to the coalition being returned to
power. John says he has no regrets and to me that is the measure of a man who
says it how it is.
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I also look forward to working alongside the other members of the coalition team
in Western Victoria Region -- David Koch and David O'Brien -- and working
constructively and respectfully with all members of this house to deliver better
government and improved services. While many people have helped me on my
political journey, I would especially like to thank the Honourable Dick de
Fegely, the Honourable Ian Smith, David Harris and Andrew Gubbins.
To my immediate family -- my mother, Gillian, who has been a guiding light
through all of my life; my stepfather, Geoff; my brother, Michael; my sister,
Serena; and my wonderful children, Nicola, Tiffany and Andrew -- thank you. My
father remains my great inspiration. Thank you to my partner Sarah, who has been
a rock of Gibraltar during my campaign and a wise counsel during the good times
and the tough times.
I thank members of this house for allowing me to express my pride and gratitude
today. It is with a great sense of duty and honour that I embark on my service
to the Victorian Parliament and to the people of Western Victoria Region.
Debate adjourned on motion of Mr O'DONOHUE (Eastern Victoria).
Debate adjourned until next day.